Scott, I've got and use both the PZ-1 and PZ-1p. I like the results with slides better on the PZ-1. The cameras look and feel identical. The PZ-1 is cheaper probably by $100. The PZ-1p is a bit faster (3.5 frames per sec. vs 2), has a more streamlined set of custom functions, has a wider pop-up flash (28mm vs 35mm), and makes synchro sunlight flash shots easier. Both are really great cameras that I like as well as the MZ-S, maybe better.
Are you sure you don't want an LX? Regards, Bob S. On 9/27/05, E.R.N. Reed <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Scott Loveless wrote: > > >I have a K1000, MX, *ist(film), 6 M series primes, and two auto focus > >zooms. The *ist's complete lack of metering with the M lenses has > >become frustrating. So I'm in the market for a body that will fully > >support all the K mount lenses I currently own. The MZ-S is the > >logical choice here, but the budget (read: wife) says no. > > > >I'm considering either an ZX-5(n) or a PZ-1(p). After digging through > >Boj's site, I'm still unsure about the differences between the ZX-5 > >and the ZX-5n, and between the PZ-1 and the PZ-1p. The latter of both > >models seems to be a bit more desirable, but are the differences > >significant enough to warrant ruling out the previous models? Would > >those of you with experience using these bodies have any > >recommendations, advice, alternatives, etc.? > > > >Also, I've never really understood hyper manual and hyper program. > >Would anyone care to briefly describe them? > > > > > I own a PZ-1 and used to own a ZX-5n. My own experience with the two > was, first of all, that my PZ-1 is a very tough camera and my ZX-5n was > a bit delicate. > The user interface of the two cameras is *totally* different. > If you picked up a ZX-5n, with your current experience, probably the > only thing you'd have to look up in the manual is "how to change the > ISO" if you wanted to do so manually. > Not sure if the *ist would help you to understand the PZ-1; I spent an > afternoon with the manual, the brochure and the Pop Photo review open > while playing with the camera in order to learn how to use it. But then > I went on to use it for my work on a college weekly and all of my > free-lance assignments for the next several years. The only time the > PZ-1 ever went to the repair shop, it had a small crack in the baseplate > and so the baseplate was being replaced (not very costly) -- this was > seven years ago. I've had the camera for almost ten years. > The ZX-5n -- controls are just like your K1000 and MX except with the > differences required to support a few more features. I bought my ZX-5n > nearly eight years ago; it went to the Pentax camera hospital in CO > twice during the extended warranty period (once for a failure in the > advance mechanism, once for failure of the pop-up flash); to a local > repair shop once for a scratched viewfinder (OK, that was my fault) and > recently was sold after the failure of some internal gear meant it would > no longer do anything but whirr when the power switch was turned on. > It's a lovely camera to handle, it's fun to use, but mine just didn't > seem reliable. Oh, and the lens release button fell off one day, but I > found it and popped it back into place, so that did not require a trip > to the repair shop. > Frankly I would recommend the PZ-1 (or PZ-1p) as they are, IMO, the most > versatile 35mm Pentax cameras. They have the most features and they are > fully compatible with all the lenses (with or without aperture ring; > with or without an A on the aperture ring) -- although they're not the > only bodies to to be fully compatible, they do have nice features like > the 1/8000s top speed and 1/250s top sync speed and such. Disadvantage > -- learning curve, and the fact that they do not have any way at all to > use AA batteries. (The ZX- series cameras have an optional accessory > battery pack to use AAs.) They also have only a single autofocus sensor > (is that the right word?) which is considered "primitive" now with the > multiple-sensor autofocus available in Pentax and other bodies. > HyperManual: It's like metered manual -- you adjust shutter speed and > aperture and the camera gives you underexposure or overexposure > indicators, but if you press the IF button the camera will set the > program-recommended shutter speed and aperture for you and you can > adjust them from there to your liking. (The camera won't set the > aperture of an M lens, obviously, but I think in that case pressing the > IF button will cause the camera to set the shutter speed to go with the > aperture you have set.) > HyperProgram: It's like Program exposure except that as soon as you turn > the shutter speed wheel you are in shutter-priority AE, or if you turn > the aperture speed wheel or the aperture ring, you are in > aperture-priority AE. You can't use HyperProgram with the M lenses > because they're not capable of program AE. > > >
